Exiting the cabin, Azriel found himself staring at a stand of trees in the Forest of Eternity—far from the destruction he had left in the village, and from the ruin Ranni, Corven, and their soul echoes had wrought.
At the familiar sight, his ears began to ring. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.
'I hate this damn forest…'
He couldn't wait to leave this place—this forest, this world.
A brush of mana grazed his skin. He turned toward the nearest door and sighed.
'She left…'
Through the other door.
A flicker of melancholy crossed his eyes as he stared at the threshold. He sighed again.
'Aside from her, no one's staying here…'
Marquis Rossweth was gone as well.
'Should I go look for hi—'
A presence drew near. Instinct tightened his muscles. He turned, face schooled to calm—then his composure cracked and his eyes widened.
"...Nol."
"Master~!"
Nol launched forward and hugged him tight, pinning Azriel's arms to his sides.
"H—hey, what are you doing, Nol…!?"
